The Sexual Attitude Reassessment (SAR) is a professional development opportunity for providers in areas such as healthcare, mental health, education, sexuality, and social work. These will be key for those looking to become sex therapists! SARs are process-oriented seminars that challenge attendees to evaluate their own internal beliefs, values, and attitudes towards sexuality topics. The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT), further explains that “the goal of the 21st Century SAR is to develop within sexuality professionals a sexological worldview that is appropriately self-aware, informed and flexible enough to encourage practice excellence. The 21st Century SAR accomplishes this through the conscious use of transformational learning experiences, self-reflective process, small group experience, and courageous conversations” (AASECT, 2006).

Sexual Attitude Reassessments were developed in the mid-twentieth century to train those entering the field of sexology and were based on Carl Roger’s Experiential Learning Theory. According to this theory, experiential learning is self-initiated, evaluated by the learner, evaluates the pervasive effects on the learner, and focuses on personal involvement. The SAR is now widely accepted as an essential “training method to assist participants in examining their values and beliefs as they relate[d] to sexuality” (AASECT, 2006). No two SARs are alike and can provide insightful topics such as self-awareness, ethical practices, transformational learning, values, and beliefs about sex and sexuality, and countless others.

AASECT requires sexuality educators, counselors, and therapists to complete attitude/values training experiences as a portion of their requirements for certification. Candidates can satisfy this requirement by participating in SARs. Specific certification requirements for those looking to become sex therapists can be found on the AASECT website at www.aasect.org.

According to AASECT, a SAR must be a minimum of ten hours to meet their standards, and SAR outcomes are measured by the development of participants’ sexological worldview in relation to their practice, rather than only their personal attitude change towards the presented topic. Due to AASECT requirements, you will earn a minimum of ten CEs for a SAR seminar (one per hour). Only SARs provided by Organizational AASECT CE providers can award CEs towards AASECT certification, such as the Sexual Health Alliance (SHA)! SHA offers annual SAR training, which is open to all professionals, not only current SHA students.

The next SHA Sexual Attitude Reassessment is scheduled for October 20 - 24, 2021 in Cancún, Mexico (https://sexualhealthalliance.com/sar). This extended weekend is an advanced SAR and coincides with the Wicked Eden events. As outlined in the event listing, there will be exciting classroom time, experiential time, and optional events in this sexually charged retreat.

To register for the Sexual Health Alliance’s next Sexual Attitude Reassessment and earn AASECT CEs towards your sex therapist certification, visit https://sexualhealthalliance.com/sar.

Resources:

EDSE, Sexual Attitude Reassessment

https://everyonedeservessexed.com/sar

Modern Sex Therapy Institutes, Online SAR

https://modernsextherapyinstitutes.com/product/sar1120/

AASECT, 2006 Program

https://www.aasect.org/sites/default/files/monterey14programFINAL7_1.pdf

InstructionalDesign.org, Carl Roger’s Experiential Learning Theory https://www.instructionaldesign.org/theories/experiential-learning/

Sexual Health Alliance’s Upcoming SAR

https://sexualhealthalliance.com/sar